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Dita Von Teese On Dresses Collection

DITA VON TEESE says that the way she created her debut dress collection was not dissimilar to the way many designers make their seasonal offerings.

"I saw a very famous designer, who shall remain unnamed, in a vintage boutique in LA," said Von Teese. "He was there with his whole team and they were taking pictures for pieces to inspire his next collection. I just thought to myself: 'There's no reason why I couldn't do that.' Vintage stores are where I buy all my clothes - I love the thrill of the hunt."

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The range - which comprises feminine retro-inspired dresses - was first launched in Australia earlier this year, but was made available to a British market last month when it debuted on US website shopdecadesinc.com. Priced between £373 and £620, each flattering look harks back to an age when glamour was a priority - a stark contrast to today's popular off-duty pared-down-model style.

"That look never worked for me," said Von Teese. "Any time I feel like being lazy, I think: 'The day I don't dress up, that's when I'll run into my ex-boyfriend - or worse, his new girlfriend. I feel better about myself when I look my best. I always find the time to put on my powder and do my chignon."

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The style icon, who counts Tilda Swinton and Diane Kruger as fashion heroines ("[Diane] is one of the only high-profile names I know who, like me, doesn't have a stylist"), has a level of respect for the way British women dress in the cold.

"You do well in the winter and are very good at picking great coats," she said. "In LA, no one really thinks about the importance of a great coat - they can't be bothered. It's always better when people take their time with these things."